Dion Waiters has been clutch for the Heat and fantasy owners of late
A busy, yet exciting, week in the NBA means even busier waiver wires. Here we’ll highlight five players whose performances are on the upswing – as well as their ownership percentages.
Import your team for free to get waiver wire advice 
(All owner percentages are for ESPN leagues as of January 25th)
DION WAITERS (SG, PG – MIA) 34%
The legend of Dion Waiters grew strong this week, with game-winning field goals against the Brooklyn Nets and the Golden State Warriors. Waiters has performed well since his return and was practically dominant his past three games, averaging 30 points on 61 percent shooting (including 68 percent from down three-point). The 25-year-old has had previous stretches where his performance matches his confidence, but it’s hard for fantasy owners to be confident in a career 41 percent shooter (34 percent from downtown) keeping up this pace. With the Heat not playing for a playoff spot – and the Sun Sentinel reporting rumors of a possible contract extension – there may be a mutual interest in Waiters getting as many shots as he can for the rest of the season. Even if he reverts to his career-level efficiency, he’ll still get those points.
MARCUS SMART (PG, SG – BOS) 32%
Despite an outburst against a couple of his coaches during Tuesday night’s loss to the Wizards (for which he later publicly apologized, per ESPN), Marcus Smart remains a solid pickup. Smart’s minutes have increased with Avery Bradley (SG – BOS) sidelined, and his all-around skillset helps offsets any deficiencies in his shooting percentages. Additionally, his positional flexibility and aggressive devotion to defense will keep him on the floor to collect steals and rebounds at an above-average rate for a point guard. Smart is still only 22 years old and his game is evolving. His assist rate and scoring are at career-high levels. Pick him up and keep him as the last player on your bench if you have to. He’ll continue to find a way to be useful throughout the season.
David Lee is taking full advantage of Pau Gasol’s (PF/C – SAS) absence, scoring in double digits in each game since Gasol’s injury. Lee has had a bit of an odd late-career drop-off after a hamstring injury forced him to the bench and propelled Draymond Green (PF/C – GSW) into the starting lineup in Golden State but remains effective when given the opportunity. Head coach Gregg Popovich is still tinkering with lineups, with Lee and Dewayne Dedmon (C – SAS) moving in and out of the starting unit. Still, if Lee scores 15 points and grabs seven rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench, as he did on Monday, that’s worthy of a fantasy roster spot. His shooting percentages remain high (58.9 percent this season and 53.4 percent for his career) and his passing ability makes him a good fit for the Spurs’ offense. The 33-year-old power forward’s ownership percent is rising quickly, so pick him ASAP.
TERRENCE JONES (PF, C – NOR) 27%
Anthony Davis (PF, C – NOR) left Wednesday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, reports Yahoo! Sports. Davis’ well-known injury history doesn’t necessarily speak to how long he’ll be out here but also doesn’t provide a lot of confidence outside of a diagnosis (which there is not as of writing). While no doubt disappointing, this does help keep the door open for Jones, the fifth-year forward/center who scored 36 points against the Cavaliers on Monday. He’s played well throughout January, in fact, scoring 13.7 points per game on 54 percent shooting (while also grabbing seven rebounds a game). Jones is a good fit as a small-ball center in head coach Alvin Gentry’s fast-paced offense and becomes an even better fit if he can kick his outside shooting up just a smidge (he’s a career 30 percent shooter from downtown). Keep an on Davis’ status, and should he miss any time, Jones becomes a definite must-add.
With the San Antonio Express-News reporting that Tony Parker (PG – SAS) requires an MRI, which he’ll receive this week, rookie Dejounte Murray will be starting at point guard for the Spurs for the immediate future. Murray’s athleticism is more developed than his basketball skills, which isn’t necessarily surprising for a 20-year-old rookie. With playing time there is hope, and he scored 24 points with three threes in his first start as Parker’s replacement. Now, he hasn’t connected from long distance since, but he has reached double-digits in points twice in the past three games. Murray’s youth and inexperience will make his play inconsistent, but he has the potential, and the organizational system, to bet set up for success. Pick him up as a lottery ticket.
Jake Stern is a correspondent with FantasyPros. For more from Jake, check out his profile or follow him @TVsJakeStern.
